Keywords: best sneakers to wear without socks, sneakers to wear without socks
Sneakers to wear without socks seem like a good idea. You don't have to put on a full outfit, you get to roam free because no socks are needed, and your sneakers tend to breath better. But down the line you realize that wearing your sneakers without socks can be very uncomfortable. Your feet will get sweaty, smelly and may cause some pretty bad blisters if not treated properly.
Sneakers to wear without socks isn't as easy as it looks like. There are several things you need to consider before even thinking about wearing your favorite kicks without straps or anything underneath them.
Here's a list of all the sneaker types that should be worn with socks (and why):
This is one of the most popular sneaker silhouettes out there today but it has one problem - toe cap pain! If you have wide feet, this model might feel too tight where the laces are. The fix is to wear socks underneath so the sock will absorb some of your sweat and also add padding. If you still want to go sockless with this model - try wearing thin and big foot socks that'll cover your feet and toes
Pros
a. Less to no pain in the toe cap
b. You don't need a sock that's too tight
c. Breathable design
Cons
a. Less protection from the elements (rain, etc.)
b. Not as much ankle support as you can get with socks on.
Source: sneakers-magazine.com
This is a very popular silhouette that looks great in several colorways. However, if you're going to wear them without any socks, they might stretch out too much, which can be pretty uncomfortable after a while (especially when you sit). You can get away with not-so-cotton socks like half cotton half polyester or even synthetic materials like nylon.
Pros
a. Great feeling on bare feet (less-stretched)
b. Breathable design like the Balenciaga's
c. Comfortable after a while of wearing without socks
d. Great if your feet sweat a lot or you tend to get blisters easily
Cons
a. Less protection from rain and other elements (snow included)
This is the king of all sneakers! You can wear them without socks and still feel totally comfortable but there are some cons that come with that as well: you might stretch out the tongue, which then makes it hard to put your foot inside - this also happens to people who wore their shoes with socks on for a while. If you haven't worn the shoes at all yet and you want to wear them without socks - make sure to put your foot inside and let it stretch out naturally. If it's too painful, wear minimal socks until they stop stretching (which means they've stopped changing their shape).
Pros
a. You can still feel totally comfortable, like wearing nothing at all
b. No ankle support whatsoever with this design
c. Best protection against water (rain, etc.)
d. Helps you stay cool with the ventilated construction
Cons
a. Blisters if not treated properly beforehand (moisturizing your feet) or after wearing this model without on for quite some time now.
b. Expensive sneakers that can become too loose on some people's feet.
Source: Pinterest.com
This is one of the best barefoot-feeling shoes that give you enough support for day to day, casual wear! If you want to go for this one but still want more protection - try wearing thin socks like half cotton/half polyester or even synthetic materials like nylon. You can also pull off the so called 'sockless in the summer' look with these sneakers.
Pros
a. Great feeling on bare feet (less-stretched)
b. Great if your feet sweat a lot or you tend to get blisters easily
c. Breathable design like the Balenciaga's
d. Less-expensive model that still feels comfortable and looks great!
Cons
a. No ankle support whatsoever with this design
b. Not as much cushioning while wearing without socks for quite some time (your feet might hurt after a while)
This is a more 'classic' looking sneaker with the Raf Simons touch. What I love most about this one is that you can wear it multiple ways: under jeans, pants or shorts - works for all kinds of casual looks! It's also a great option if you tend to get blisters easily because wearing these without socks will feel a lot better than usual. Please note that if your feet sweat a lot - try wearing cotton socks, they're super absorbent and won't make your shoes slide around your feet while walking or running.
Pros
a. You can still feel totally comfortable, like wearing nothing at all
b. Great feeling on bare feet (less-stretched)
c. Helps you stay cool with the ventilated construction
d. Less-expensive model that still feels comfortable and looks great!
e. Great ankle support with this design
f. Wearing cotton socks will help your feet feel much better without getting too sweaty inside the shoes (heat causes blisters) - try sporting cotton or synthetic socks like nylon or polyester to reduce sweat and risk of blisters altogether
Cons
a. The tongue tends to stretch out after a while, which makes it harder to put your foot inside the shoe - not as easy as wearing regular socks with these sneakers!
b. Expensive sneakers that can become too loose on some people's feet.
This model is more 'famous' compared to the previous recommendations because it's just a great sneaker that can also help you perform better... While wearing them, of course! If you're going for this one though, I suggest treating your feet first before sporting these sneakers. Either wear a thin cotton sock or moisturize your foot with some lotion to avoid developing blisters after wearing these shoes without socks for the first time. The good thing about Adidas Ultraboost is that they offer these themselves as well! All you have to do is search on their website and find the right size for yourself - pretty cool indeed!
Pros
a. You can still feel totally comfortable, like wearing nothing at all
b. Great feeling on bare feet (less-stretched)
c. Less-expensive model that still feels comfortable and looks great!
d. Helps you stay cool with the ventilated construction
e. Great ankle support with this design
f. Wearing cotton socks will help your feet feel much better without getting too sweaty inside the shoes (heat causes blisters) - try sporting cotton or synthetic socks like nylon or polyester to reduce sweat and risk of blisters altogether
Cons
a. Pricier compared to other models mentioned in this article - but still worth it for what you get in return, don't forget that!
b. Not as much cushioning while wearing without socks for quite some time (your feet might hurt after a while)
This is a perfect example that not all 'famous' sneakers are expensive! These Reigning Champ x Adidas Superstars come with the original design of this famous shoe (with shiny leather upper and rubber outsole) but at a very reasonable price. The only problem you might encounter while wearing these sneakers without socks is that they get loose easily over time so I suggest trying on the right size before buying them. You'll also need to toss in some extra money for some insoles if you want your new shoes to be more comfortable and supportive. But again, they're worth it for what you get in return: great looking and feeling shoes that will last many years of wear if taken care properly.
Pros
a. You can still feel totally comfortable, like wearing nothing at all
b. Great feeling on bare feet (less-stretched)
c. Less-expensive model that still feels comfortable and looks great!
d. Helps you stay cool with the ventilated construction
e. Great ankle support with this design
f. Wearing cotton socks will help your feet feel much better without getting too sweaty inside the shoes (heat causes blisters) - try sporting cotton or synthetic socks like nylon or polyester to reduce sweat and risk of blisters altogether
Cons
a. Not as much cushioning while wearing without socks for quite some time (your feet might hurt after a while)
b. Pricier compared to other models mentioned in this article - but still worth it for what you get in return, don't forget that!
The Adidas Ultraboost LTD is probably one of the most expensive sneakers featured on this list but they're also the best-looking ones! And yes, wearing these without socks can be a problem from time to time too - I suggest buying insoles with them if you'll wear them often and/or buy some insoles just for everyday use (they're not that expensive). The tongue might stretch out pretty fast and your feet will sweat inside the shoes after a couple of hours so try wearing cotton socks while sporting these shoes to feel much better!
Pros
a. You can still feel totally comfortable, like wearing nothing at all
b. Great feeling on bare feet (less-stretched)
c. Less-expensive model that still feels comfortable and looks great!
d. Helps you stay cool with the ventilated construction
e. Great ankle support with this design
f. Wearing cotton socks will help your feet feel much better without getting too sweaty inside the shoes (heat causes blisters) - try sporting cotton or synthetic socks like nylon or polyester to reduce sweat and risk of blisters altogether
Cons
a. Pricier compared to other models mentioned in this article - but still worth it for what you get in return, don't forget that!
b. Not as much cushioning while wearing without socks for quite some time (your feet might hurt after a while)
Source: gearpatrol.com
The Sketchers GOrun 6 are one of my favorite sneakers ever - they're the ones I've been wearing almost every day since 2013 and I'm sure I'll keep wearing them until they completely break-down because the construction is just too good to be true. These shoes feel great on bare feet and you can wear cotton socks with them if you want your feet to feel comfortable and not sweaty at all. The only problem you might encounter is that these sneakers stretch out easily so try buying them in your right size or half-size below to make them feel much better.
Pros
a. You can still feel totally comfortable, like wearing nothing at all
b. Great feeling on bare feet (less-stretched)
c. Less-expensive model that still feels comfortable and looks great!
d. Helps you stay cool with the ventilated construction
e. Great ankle support with this design
f. Wearing cotton socks will help your feet feel much better without getting too sweaty inside the shoes (heat causes blisters) - try sporting cotton or synthetic socks like nylon or polyester to reduce sweat and risk of blisters altogether
Cons
a. Not as much cushioning while wearing without socks for quite some time (your feet might hurt after a while)
b. Pricier compared to other models mentioned in this article - but still worth it for what you get in return, don't forget that!
The above are the top-ten best sneakers to wear without socks that have been proven to be extremely comfortable and supportive enough by athletes around the globe - if you're still having problems finding the right pair of sneakers, go ahead and try any one of these models and you won't regret it! If you wear the wrong shoes but don't wear socks with them, you might experience blisters on your feet or sweaty feet (heat causes blisters) so make sure to buy insoles with them for more comfort.